Earth Voice

Earth Voice [Source: Various media reports of towns developed across Europe during the boom years which now lie empt; and the growing migration from the cities to the childhood towns and villages where the newly dispossessed grew up - close to kith and kin]. Concrete, steel and glass creations Stand deserted. Shipwrecked in ghostly isolation. Shiny new towns with names not faces Echo with the murmurings of ghouls And shrieks of financial loss and isolation. Roads where no car dares to pass. Railroad tracks with no timetable. No spinning wheels. Great monuments to what we had become. Irrelevant. Empty now. Welcome home my brothers and sisters (Bienvenido de Voelta) Children of Naxos, Villacanas and Alfandega da Fe And countless towns and villages which sleep along the way For I have missed you . Eagerly awaited your return. Lay your false gods aside. Let their land of plenty quietly die. For my earth is rich and I offer this unconditionally to you. with joy not hesitation; and though we may suffer drought and infestation We suffer together for that is the natural order And that is my promise to you. Let us build a permanent home Sheltered by the sun; the wind and the rain. Make use of my stones and rocks to build firm foundations To feed and nurture. Your community. Your sanctuary. And measure your contentment in quiet satisfaction For these intangible gifts are more valuable Than all the concrete, steel and glass that you’ll ever own.